Buffalo Bills News - September 5, 2003

Washington the "BIG" Story [9:04 PM]RNews.com reports:
'"I never played against him before, just practiced just practiced against him," Brown added. "Nobody holds down that position like him. We got our work cut out."'

Found a good Lawyer [3:55 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'"It's always good when you can try to improve your team by any measure," Williams said. "He's an awful good football player. He's very intelligent. He's been the quarterback for them on the defensive side of the ball in their multiple coverage packages."'

New-look Bills on tap [2:49 PM]Patriots Football Weekly reports:
'“I think you can already start to see some of his influence in the defensive scheme, some blitz-zoning, some different pressures,” Belichick said of the new-look Bills defense. “They are doing a few things schematically a little different than they did last year on defense. They have added some players like Spikes and Posey, Adams to go with Pat Williams on the defensive line. [Ryan] Denney is starting for them at left end so they look like they have incorporated a little bit of some scheme changes and then also some personnel changes. They look bigger on defense especially with Adams in there and Williams. They have added some pass rushers in terms of Posey and some playmakers in terms of Spikes. They are a good solid team that has added some players and added some scheme things in the offseason.”'

Bills To Honor Military With Pre-Game Salute [1:12 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Over 100 individuals from various branches of the United States Armed Forces will be on hand and will assist in displaying a special 10-yard by 30-yard American flag on the field.'

Center of attention [1:10 PM]Quincy Patriot Ledger reports:
'‘‘The addition of Sam Gash is a big one for us, but it was also very, very unfortunate to see Larry move on. I hope he doesn't come back and haunt us too much this week.'''

Belichick has hold on Bledsoe [1:09 PM]Quincy Patriot Ledger reports:
'‘‘We have done a pretty good job of reducing those (sack) numbers through the preseason although they're just preseason games,'' Gregg Williams said. ‘‘But I've liked what I've seen the last couple of preseason games out of that unit. That's been an emphasis that we have talked about, reducing negative plays from an offensive standpoint.'''

Milloy arrives eager to play but Sunday's status is unclear [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I thought I would make whatever I make this season and go on," Milloy said. "Then (Belichick) calls me in a week before the game and that really threw me off guard. I wish it would have been handled in a different way (but) that organization and (Belichick) made the process speed up. I thought it was really unfair for what I've brought to that organization. The type of leadership and loyalty . . . that's what really hurt."'

It's more than just money for Milloy [5:19 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Milloy will earn $7 million this season in base salary and bonus with the Bills instead of $6 million over two years, which was New England’s final offer. The rugged 6-foot, 210-pounder — who averaged 121 tackles a season for the Patriots — will also get to play in a defensive system that will use him near the line of scrimmage. The Patriots had gotten away from using him in that role and his statistics fell off sharply in 2002.'

Bills, Choice One ink pact extension [5:17 AM]Rochester Business Journal reports:
'“Buffalo is one of our most mature and most successful markets,” said Philip Yawman, executive vice president of corporate development for Choice One. “Our partnership with the Buffalo Bills has had a significant impact on our visibility and brand in Buffalo and throughout Western New York.”'

Did Lawyer sign out of spite? [5:16 AM]Corning Leader reports:
'Sure, Milloy told the media he was impressed with how eager the Bills were to get him. But you have to wonder with Dan Snyder in the bidding war - quite possibly offering money exceeding that of Buffalo's offer - if a desire to spite Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and company helped the Bills' cause.'

New Bill wings it into Buffalo [5:15 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'The steel-shouldered Gash, back here for a second time after a three-year stint with Baltimore, said Milloy can count on better days here. He had a six-year stay in New England and, similar to Milloy, didn't like how his New England experience ended. "I told him I'm glad to see him and said, `It's about time,' " said Gash. "I'm very happy to see him, and obviously, I think he's going to mean a great deal to this team."'

Belichick is wary of signal-caller on Bills [5:14 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Specifically, Milloy, though it's difficult to imagine him playing a key role in Buffalo's defense mere days after joining it, figures to be able to assist his new teammates, particularly one new old teammate (quarterback Drew Bledsoe), in deciphering the Patriots' coverages, audibles, and formations. "We will have to pay particular attention to some of the things like that, the communication signals, the play calling, and so forth," Belichick said. "Nobody knew our defense any better than Lawyer did over the last three years. He handled a lot of the audibles and checks in the secondary."'

Milloy thrilled to be a Bill [5:13 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'Poston said the Redskins offered more money over seven- and five-year terms, but he wanted the certainty of up-front cash, and Bills owner Ralph Wilson stepped up.'

Ex-mates: Lawyer a boon for Buffalo [5:11 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'``I think he has a lot to prove and I think he'll make the whole defense better, even the team better,'' Fauria said. ``He's not a defensive leader, he's a team leader. I hate to say it. He's a friend but he's the enemy now and that's weird.'''

Locker room talk centers on Milloy [5:10 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'On the other side of the coin, another veteran was asked if Milloy's release had demoralized some players. ``Hell, yes,'' said the veteran. ``Let me ask you, what does it mean to be a captain around here? What does it mean to get one of those parking spots (for being among the team leaders in offseason workouts, which Milloy was)? I see that `Iron-man' T-shirt hanging in his locker (given to those players who participated in every training camp practice) - what does that get you?'

Milloy Leaves Patriots Behind [5:09 AM]Hartford Courant reports:
'A bigger problem is what Milloy can tell the Bills about the Patriots. Although Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel don't give the defenders that Sunday's game plan until Wednesday - a day after Milloy was dumped for refusing to take a pay cut - Milloy's knowledge of the Patriots defense is almost unsurpassed.'

Big-time defense [5:08 AM]Woonsocket Call reports:
'"I would expect our defense to be a little more stingier this year than they were last year," Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe said, "and I would expect our offensive production to remain high. The real goal for us this year is to eliminate some of the mistakes that put us behind the eight-ball in some games."'

Trio makes bid for Milloy's safety spot [5:07 AM]Springfield Republican reports:
'"Nobody knew our defense better than Lawyer did over the past three years. He handle a lot of audibles and checks in the secondary. I know he knows it and knows it well."'

Pats have no safety net [5:06 AM]Providence Journal reports:
'One thing the Patriots have in their favor now that they didn't have last year is an improved pass rush. If they can put heat on Bledsoe -- who's not a terribly elusive sort -- that can cover a multitude of sins in the secondary.'

Words rather than deeds may be Milloy's first contribution [5:05 AM]Providence Journal reports:
'Maybe more important will be the way the Bills decide to deploy Milloy. He is talented. And he will be motivated. The Bills will want him on the field. But Milloy will be working virtually without a net if Buffalo opts to use him extensively. If he messes up a coverage -- and working with an unfamiliar secondary group, that's not out of the question -- the Patriots will be ready to make him pay.'

Offseason deals appear to fill the Bills [5:04 AM]USA Today reports:
'''I think we're going to be pretty good,'' he says. ''This is not going to change how I coach or my relationship with the team. This team plays hard all the time.'''

September 4, 2003

Milloy joins Bills, puts Patriots behind him [8:59 PM]AP reports:
'Milloy arrived too late to take part in Thursday's practice, but he made it clear when asked about his feelings toward the Patriots, particularly head coach Bill Belichick. ''I could care less about him,'' Milloy said. ''I'm all about the Buffalo Bills.'''

Notes, quotes, anecdotes [4:48 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'12 -- Number of combined sacks and turnovers the Patriots had in last season's two lopsided wins over Buffalo.'

Strategy and personnel [4:47 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'The Bills' top priority is to keep the game close so all their game planning doesn't go out the window after a half. In last year's two lopsided losses, they trailed 17-0 and 20-0, forcing QB Drew Bledsoe to put the ball in the air 72 times and allowing New England coach Bill Belichick to scheme him to death. Buffalo's remodeled defense needs to show up from the opening bell.'

Inside slant [4:46 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'His decision to pick Buffalo over other suitors such as Washington, St. Louis and Minnesota involved his familiarity with the AFC East and style of defense the Bills play. Buffalo is conjuring up new blitz looks under assistant head coach Dick LeBeau and Williams' "46" scheme has always relied on a big-time hitting strong safety to play in the box.'

Bledsoe, Milloy add flair to Bills-Pats opener [4:44 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'Despite all of the changes on both sides of the ball for Buffalo, Belichick thinks the biggest improvement the Bills made was on special teams. "The biggest change that I notice in Buffalo is on special teams," Belichick said. "They have a new kicker [Rian Lindell] but they have a very explosive return game. Their kickoff return game in preseason has been strong. The punt return game is probably as good as anybody's in the league. Antonio Brown has shown great speed and playmaking ability in that phase of the game. So that is a big change for them."'

Bills Make Roster Moves [4:31 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Also today, the team announced that quarterback Travis Brown has reached an injury settlement with the Bills. Brown had been placed on Injured Reserve on August 31 with a finger injury.'

Bills cut LB Haggan to make room for Milloy [4:30 PM]AP reports:
'Haggan, a three-year starter at Mississippi State, was Buffalo's seventh-round draft pick. He became the odd-man out as the Bills were already carrying eight linebackers on their roster.'